How a Hollywood club band defined the sound of 1980s hair metal
In short: Before they were platinum-selling icons, Ratt was a scrappy Los Angeles outfit born from the ashes of earlier projects like Firedome and Mickey Ratt. Their rise from the Sunset Strip to global stadium tours helped codify the glam metal era, blending technical guitar prowess with a distinct, high-energy aesthetic.
The origins of Ratt trace back to 1973 Hollywood, where singer Stephen Pearcy founded the band Firedome. After several iterations and name changes—including a stint as Mickey Ratt—the group solidified its classic lineup by the early 1980s. They were central to the burgeoning Los Angeles glam metal scene, often cited alongside peers like Mötley Crüe and Quiet Riot as the architects of the Sunset Strip sound.
Their commercial breakthrough arrived in 1984 with the release of Out of the Cellar. The album featured a signature blend of bluesy, raspy vocals and twin-lead guitar work from Robbin Crosby and Warren DeMartini, who was just 18 when he joined. The record achieved triple-platinum status in the United States, propelled by the hit single Round and Round, which reached the 12th spot on the Billboard Hot 100. The band’s visual identity, often featuring models on album covers, became a hallmark of the genre, though they later attempted to pivot toward a grittier, more experimental image with 1986's Dancing Undercover.
The band's trajectory was marked by internal volatility, including frequent lineup changes and substance abuse struggles that eventually led to the departure of key members. Robbin Crosby, who battled health issues, passed away in 2002 at age 42. Despite these challenges and various hiatuses, the group maintained a sporadic recording and touring schedule through 2021, releasing their final studio album, Infestation, in 2010. Their legacy remains tied to the 1980s metal explosion, a period where they successfully balanced radio-friendly pop sensibilities with the aggressive, staccato guitar styles that defined the decade.
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Sources
- Summary by Intellect · source: Ratt
- Also: Wikidata — Ratt · CC0
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